10,000-plus fans bid farewell to Ernie Harwell

May 07, 2010

Detroit Tigers fans pay their respects to late Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell lying in repose in Comerica Park in Detroit, Thursday. Harwell died Tuesday of cancer at age 92. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — More than 10,000 fans walked past the open casket of beloved Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell during a public viewing at Comerica Park.

Tigers spokesman Rick Thompson said fans lined up before the stadium opened at 7 a.m. Thursday and the last person said goodbye around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

Harwell died Tuesday at 92 after a months-long battle against cancer.

Planning for the public viewing began in September after Harwell was diagnosed with an inoperable form of the disease.

His casket was placed near a life-sized statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster.

Family members were to hold a private funeral service and burial Friday.

The Tigers plan a tribute to Harwell before Monday’s game against the New York Yankees.